Letter to the Editor
Permit counterpoint
POSTED: March 26, 2008
To the EDN:
In an attempt to further clear some confusion regarding HF 2613, especially on the part of Emmet County Sheriff Larry Lamack and Chief Deputy Mike Martens, we submit the following:
1. We appreciate Sheriff Lamack and Deputy Martens agreeing with the Second Amendment, but we would remind Deputy Martens, who stated that he “strongly believed in the people’s right to keep and bear arms,” that the Amendment continues to state that that right shall not be infringed upon. Currently that infringement is based upon Sheriff Lamack’s knowledge of people who “should not have a concealed weapon permit for one reason or another (alcohol, drugs, personality disorders, etc.).” Sheriff Lamack renews approximately 45 permits a year, which contradicts his statement, “for the last 20 years I have not issued a concealed weapon permit.” A renewal is issuing a permit. Are we to assume that the 45 renewal applicants have passed Sheriff Lamack’s “attitude test,” that they have no alcohol, drug or personality disorders? When was the last time Sheriff Lamack interviewed all of them? Could not these 45 pass a background check and still have problems? Are we to assume that we have Sheriff Lamack’s guarantee that they don’t “drink excessively, do drugs, but have never been caught”?
2. In his Letter to the Editor, the Sheriff states, “I don’t understand why some people think they need to carry a loaded gun in public.” We would remind the sheriff that, according to the U.S. Bureau of Justice statistics, 77 percent of all violent crimes occur in public places. While the Sheriff states he always felt safe in Emmet County, not all Emmet County residents stay in Emmet County. Some travel to public places throughout Iowa and neighboring states. Sheriff Lamack doesn’t “see the need to carry a concealed weapon,” and he has that choice. Shouldn’t other Emmet County residents have the same “choice”? Forty-five of them currently do.
3. Deputy Martens stated that he “didn’t think our state or people were ready for that.” According to http://www.IowaCarry.org'>www.IowaCarry.org, permits are currently issued in over 50 percent of Iowa counties including Palo Alto and Dickinson counties. There are currently approximately 28,000 permit holders in Iowa. We would ask Deputy Martens why he thinks Emmet County residents aren’t “as ready” as Palo Alto and Dickinson county residents, or the other 28,000 Iowa residents.
4. Deputy Martens also states that he “sees a problem if officers answer a call, not knowing whether an individual might have a concealed weapon. That’s inherently dangerous” for both the officer and the individual. As a graduate of Officer Survival School and two Academies in California and Iowa, I (Connie Alvarez) seem to remember being trained to approach ALL incidents as “inherently dangerous” and possibly involving weapons, regardless of whether or not permits are issued. We would also ask Deputy Martens to point to the number of serious incidents involving the current 28,000 Iowa permit holders.
5. Deputy Martens stated that he agrees with the current sheriff’s policy of not issuing new permits, but renewing existing permits. He further states, “There would be no requirement for people with permits to carry to ever show proficiency again once they receive a permit.” HF2613 would standardize training throughout the state of Iowa, including classroom and live-fire training in the presence of qualified firearms safety instructors. Qualifying can also be required upon renewal. When was the last time the current 45 renewals qualified? Were Sheriff Lamack and Deputy Martens present at their qualifying or are their permits simply renewed?
The people of Emmet County are ready for a bill that would standardize training, provide safe carry and afford them the same right of choice currently exercised by Sheriff Lamack, 45 Emmet County residents, residents of Palo Alto and Dickinson counties and 28,000 other Iowa residents.
The people also have a clear choice in this year’s election. If you feel that you have the right to choose, then the next time you see Sheriff Lamack or Deputy Martens, ask, “Why them and not me?”
Connie Alvarez
Estherville
Larry Walders
Armstrong
Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-11 | Post a comment
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Cassie2
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05-07-08 1:05 PM
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IAJack, the ringleader of the 75 member hidden-gun carrying lobby likes to mix explosives and blow up cars. His bill would force sheriffs to issue permits to people convicted of assault and harassment. Many of the people who want to carry concealed weapons are in that category.
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Cassie2
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05-07-08 12:51 PM
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Google "Larry Walders, Armstrong, IA" and look through the 3rd item down (IA WC decision) to see the level of people that want to carry hidden loaded weapons in this county. Thank you Sheriff Lamack for not issuing permits to people who have no legitimate need for carrying hidden loaded weapons. The rest of the people posting are gun lobbyists from out of town. They ought to get out and stay out. All they want to do is profit from selling concealable weapons and they don't care who gets them including criminals.
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Gonzo74
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04-04-08 5:21 AM
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Two to migle, two to tango,... whatever Since nobody is running for Milburns job, we may have only one chance for the departments to start getting along.... and those blueprints don't include Mike Martens !
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Freedom
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04-03-08 10:24 PM
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gonzo i am talking about the 2 departments getting along. It takes two to mingle. I say ask the officers and deputies. See what they say about getting along.
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Gonzo74
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04-03-08 2:53 AM
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I don't have to look at Milburn, I've talked to him about this very issue, years before all this print in the news paper came out. The whole picture has been looked at, are you looking at it upside down, freedom ? Thats a funny screen name... Freedom. How can anyone be free when they are denied their rights ? But, I guess when it comes to carrying, its more of a personal choice !
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Freedom
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03-29-08 11:49 AM
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I WOULD LOOK AT THE CHIEF OF POLICE TOO! LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE. I FORGOT HE IS FOR THIS BILL TOO, SO WHY WOULD YOU.
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Gonzo74
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03-28-08 3:56 AM
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Nice post Builder ! There are some other things that I hope will be brought to light, besides just this issue ! If we can knock Martens out in the June 3rd primaries, we might get the two LEO agencies to finally be one cohesive unit that works and trains together. That will unlikely happen under Martens leadership or lack thereof.
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builder
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03-27-08 6:45 AM
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Maybe somebody should first consider the 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms. Emmet County citizens are being deprived of thier right because one person say so. Somebody should also ask Chief Merrill and the Estherville Chief of Police what they think of the bill. Their cops are going to be the ones who deal mostly with the laws. The sherrifs office doesn't have too many grocery stores, conveniance stores and restaurants in their parts of the county. The cities have most of them. I know some of the deputies. They don't all think the same way the sherrif and his puppet does, they just cant say so.
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Hokahey
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03-26-08 10:45 AM
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Let's take a look at the counties surrounding ours as to number of permits issued the past year. These are non-professional permits. This is for clanedar year 2007. Kossuth County 212, Dickinson County 389, Palo Alto COunty 127, Humbolt County 243, and then Emmet County only 47! Why so few here, go talk to our sheriff and ask him why them and not you. Larry From Armstrong
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Hokahey
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03-26-08 8:08 AM
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It seems that we have doule standards here. I believe that anyone wanting a carry permit would be more than willing to take the range test to qualify and to take the drug test if the issuing sheriff had reasonable doubts. To renew 45t permits each and every year with no questions asked sdimply because a former sheriff issued the original seems unprofessional at the least. We have a chance to change things here in Emmet County this year. We have two fine candidates, running for the office of sheriff, one from each party. We need to see that the two of them are on the ticket when we go to cast our vote. We have already seen that their will e NO CHANGE should deputy Martens be elected. If you want the change take the time to contact our lawmakers and get out there and vote. Larry Armstrong
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Gonzo74
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03-26-08 3:35 AM
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I would be willing to take drug,alcohol and psychological evaluation tests for a CC permit. As a bonus I would even be willing to qualify with the officers twice a year, at the range. If I were to complete these things successfully, do you think I would still be denied ?
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